4 Indian captains who have lost four or more home Tests ft. Rohit Sharma
New Zealand beat India by 113 runs in the second Test of the three-match series at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Saturday, October 26. This meant India have now lost their first home series since 2012.
Rohit Sharma earned the unenviable plaudit of leading India to their first-ever series defeat at home since the 1-2 thrashing they received in the hands of Alastair Cook's England in 2012-13.
This time around, however, the Kiwis went about their business quietly and did not give India too many opportunities to fight against them. The hosts struggled mightily with the bat in hand in both innings and allowed the visitors to pull away.
In this listicle, we take a look at four Indian captains who have lost four or more home Tests.
#1 MAK Pataudi - 9 Tests
Former India captain, the late MAK Pataudi is on top of this list with nine defeats at home. To his disadvantage, India were not the world-beaters that they are today, and were often fazed by their opponents both on and off the field. Pataudi, however, was one of the most charming cricketers and led India to great heights.
In the 40 matches that he led India from 1962 to 1975, Pataudi won nine matches and drew 12, losing the rest. The former Delhi and Hyderabad batter enjoyed a win percentage of 22, which was deemed respectable during his time. His greatest success was in leading India to their first overseas Test series win ever - in New Zealand in 1968.
#2 Mohammed Azharuddin - 4 Tests
Former India captain Mohammed Azharuddin's career came to an abrupt end due to his alleged involvement in match-fixing and spot-fixing scandals. He faced four defeats at home as a captain in 20 Tests. The wristy and elegant player, however, was known for thinking on his feet, and making uncanny calls.
Azharuddin's reputation after the lifetime ban imposed upon him by the BCCI was lifted took another severe beating when he was alleged for several irregularities and charges of corruption during his tenure as president of his native Hyderabad Cricket Association from 2019 to 2022.
#3 Kapil Dev - 4 Tests
Former India captain Kapil Dev comes third on this list, and shares the number with Mohammed Azharuddin for losing four home Tests. Dev is renowned for leading India to their maiden ODI World Cup victory in England in 1983. This victory has been credited with changing the face of the sport in the country.
In the 34 Test matches Dev led India from 1983 to 1987, he won just four, enjoying a win percentage of over 11. His record as an individual cricketer, however, is impeccable, having played in 131 Tests and picking up 434 wickets in those. He is undoubtedly the greatest fast bowling all-rounder India has produced.
#4 Rohit Sharma
Current India captain Rohit Sharma has joined this list with four defeats of his own while in charge of the team. Two out of those four have come in this series against New Zealand, in Bengaluru and Pune. The other two came against England earlier this year in Hyderabad and against Australia in Indore in 2023.
Sharma will be disappointed with the way things have turned out for India, especially as he became the first captain since MS Dhoni to lose a Test series at home since 2012-13. However, with the Border-Gavaskar Trophy coming up next month, India will look to bounce back quickly.